HK1091381B - Process and machine for waterproofing semimanufactured footwear, clothing items and accessories, and semimanufactured products obtained with said process or machine - Google Patents

Description

Method and apparatus for waterproofing semimanufactured footwear, clothing items and accessories, and semimanufactured products obtained with said method or apparatus

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for waterproofing semimanufactured shoes, garments and accessories, particularly in their manufacturing process. The invention also relates to a device for implementing said method, and to the semifinished product obtained with the method or device.

Background

WO 00/22948 discloses a method for waterproofing leather and semimanufactured products made of leather pieces sewn to one another. This known method consists in pressing on the inner surface of the leather at least one semi-permeable membrane having a glue pattern on its surface in contact with the leather. With this solution, a suitable breathability of the leather is also achieved in the area where the leather is glued to the film.

WO 02/11571, in turn, discloses a method and a device for waterproofing semimanufactured products, made of leather or fabric, to which other materials are added, which cannot be completely spread on a table top, since they already have a three-dimensional configuration with at least one inner and one outer surface during processing. A typical example of said semi-finished product is the upper before its final step, lining if necessary. Other such semi-finished products may be bootlegs, gloves, hats and clothes, which are usually in their final processing step. The method consists in turning the semimanufactured product inside out and introducing a suitable shaped part before extrusion, so as to waterproof the semimanufactured product even if it already has a three-dimensional conformation. The apparatus comprises a press having a deformable plate formed by a hollow body, the elastically pressing surfaces of which protrude outwards under the pressure of hot-pressing air.

However, said known methods and devices, as disclosed in said patent applications, are not particularly suitable per se for large-scale industrial applications, which require a high degree of automation in order to minimize processing times and costs.

Disclosure of Invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus which do not have the above-mentioned disadvantages, i.e. which can be easily applied to industrial production. Said object is achieved by a method and a device, the main features of which are stated in claim 1 and claim 18, respectively, while other features are stated in the remaining claims.

Thanks to the use of a special waterproof shaped skin with glue, the method and the apparatus according to the invention make it possible to waterproof the semi-finished products in a simple and quick manner, in order to automate their production, in particular in the case of glues that are heat-activatable.

The apparatus according to the invention is particularly suitable for automated production, since it has a deformable plate pivoted to a support structure and able to press-move a shaped support suitable for supporting the semimanufactured product and the waterproofing skin during pressing.

According to a particular aspect of the invention, the deformable plates are able to rotate about a substantially vertical axis, while the shaped element can move on a horizontal track, so that the operator can easily arrange the semimanufactured product and the waterproofing skin on the same support.

According to another particular aspect of the invention, the apparatus is provided with two shaped supports which are alternately pressed, so that, while the first is pressed, the operator can prearrange on the second the semimanufactured product and the waterproofing skin and vice versa, so that the production efficiency can be doubled.

According to another particular aspect of the invention, the drive means of the mobile parts of the apparatus are driven pneumatically, which simplifies its maintenance and increases its reliability. In addition, the particular layout of the equipment components prevents accidental contact with the extrusion device, which improves overall safety.

Another advantage of such a method and apparatus according to the invention lies not only in their high productivity, but also in their relatively low operating costs, which can be applied not only to industrial production, but also to manual production, in particular for shoes.

Drawings

Further advantages and features of this method and apparatus of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed and non-limiting description of embodiments thereof, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a side view of the apparatus;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the pressing device of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the extrusion apparatus of FIG. 3 taken along the plane IV-IV;

FIG. 5 is a side view of a second shaped support of the apparatus of FIG. 1;

figure 6 is a perspective view of a third shaped support.

Detailed Description

With reference to fig. 1 to 4, it can be seen that the apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention comprises, in a known manner, a pressing device 1, the pressing device 1 having at least one pair of deformable plates 2, 2' constituted by a hollow body, for example a spherical crown-shaped hollow body, the pressing surface 3 of the pressing device 1 being elastic, for example constituted by silicone or another anti-adhesive, heat-resistant elastic material. Fluid, in particular air, coming from a compressor (not shown in the figures) is pumped into the deformable plates 2, 2' via one or more inlet ducts 4 in which air valves (not visible in the figures) are arranged, after being heated by at least one electric heat exchanger 5.

According to the invention, at least one of the deformable plates 2, 2' is pivoted to a vertical support structure 6 so as to be rotatable about a substantially vertical axis (according to the direction of the arrow in figure 2) to open or close the pressing device 1 during the pressing step. For this purpose, 4 straight and bent arms 7 are fixed on the outside of the deformable plate 2, and in addition, two straight and bent arms 7 'are fixed on the outside of the deformable plate 2 at a suitable height, so that each arm 7' is arranged between two of the 4 arms 7. The ends of the arms 7, 7 'close to the vertical support structure 6 are perforated so that at least one pin 8 can be inserted in a hole made in one of the two ends, the deformable plates 2, 2' being rotatable about this pin 8. In this embodiment the deformable plates 2, 2' are pivoted about a pin 8, i.e. about the same substantially vertical axis. The pistons of the one or more cylinders 9, which act as latches to lock the deformable plates 2, 2 'when they are closed, can enter holes arranged on the ends of the arms 7, 7' opposite the support structure frame 6, preventing them from opening accidentally due to the high pressure between the pressing surfaces 3. At the end of the extrusion, the fluid contained in the deformable plates 2, 2 'can be discharged through one or more discharge channels 10, 10' with gas valves (not visible in the figures) and means for cooling and/or distributing the hot fluid.

The support structure 6 is connected to the end of a horizontal platform 11 on which at least one rail, preferably two rails 12, 12 'are arranged and which rails 12, 12' converge in the direction of the press 1. A pneumatically driven carriage 13 can move on each track 12, 12 'alternately to the same central position between the deformable plates 2, 2' of the pressing device 1, the two shaped supports 14 being mounted on the carriage 13 by means of a flat bar 15. Pneumatic sensors 16 are arranged at the ends of the rails 12, 12' to detect the position of the carriage 13. A control panel 17 is arranged on the platform 11, the control panel 17 comprising two buttons for controlling the movement of the carriage 13 and a safety button for stopping the operation of the whole apparatus.

The shaped support 14 is shaped to support a semimanufactured product, for example an upper (shown in broken lines in figure 3), made of leather or fabric and having a three-dimensional conformation with at least an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface preferably being turned out before the semimanufactured product is placed around the shaped support 14, so that its inner surface faces outwards.

At least one waterproofing skin 18 having a shape that completely or partially covers the inner surface (preferably turned inside out) of the semi-finished product to be waterproofed is placed in turn on this inner surface. So that the pressing device 1 can be waterproofed when it is hot-pressed. The outer surface of the shaped support 14, which is preferably provided with at least one anti-adhesive, heat-resistant elastic coating, in particular a coating made of silicone, is shaped so as to adhere to the surface of the semi-finished product and also to compensate if the latter is not flat, for example due to non-uniformity of thickness between the surface of the semi-finished product and the skin 18 caused by appendages such as metal rings or double-sided decals, and contact discontinuities.

The surface of the skin 18 facing the semi-finished product has a glue pattern which can be thermally activated by the heat of the pressing device 1 when it is desired to melt the glue and penetrate into the material of the semi-finished product. In another embodiment, the glue may be sprayed onto the semi-finished product before joining the semi-finished product to the skin 18.

In this embodiment, the glue pattern is formed of a plurality of polyurethane glue dots having a dot diameter of 0.1mm to 2mm and a density of 10 to 200 dots/cm²In the meantime. In other embodiments of the invention, the glue pattern may consist of glue sprayed or arranged in an array of dots, or in a random pattern, or along mutually parallel and/or perpendicular lines. The skin 18 preferably comprises at least one film made of a sheet of semi-permeable material, for example made of polyurethane, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyester or other polymers, and preferably has a thickness of between 5mm and 100 mm. In particular, according to an embodiment of the invention, the semi-permeable membrane of the skin 18 is made of polyurethane. Furthermore, the membrane is preferably elastic, has an elongation higher than 50%, in particular 100%, and is non-porous, since it allows the passage of water vapour by permeation and therefore, unlike porous membranes, blocks the passage of water even when such membranes are stretched or bent. The surface of the skin 18 without the glue pattern is usually fixed to a support sheet, which avoids its use prior to useIs accidentally damaged or bent. The sheet may be made of paper and may be separated after the skin 18 has been adhered to the semi-finished product. In other embodiments of the invention, the support sheet may consist of a different material, such as a fabric or similar material, preferably elastic, and be firmly glued to the skin 18 if it is desired to line the interior of the semifinished product at the end of the process. More information about the film used for the skin 18 is contained in WO 00/22948 and WO 02/11571.

Before pressing the surfaces of the semi-finished product and the skin 18, the shaped support 14 may be expanded to stretch the surfaces of the semi-finished product and the skin, so as to avoid wrinkles. To this end, each shaped support 14 comprises at least one mobile element 19 suitable to be pushed towards the outside by one or more pneumatic cylinders arranged on the same support.

If the semimanufactured product to be waterproofed is an upper, the shaped support 14 in this embodiment resembles a foot, while the mobile element 19 is arranged in the position of the heel and is fixed, preferably in a removable manner, to the shaped support 14, so that it can be replaced by another mobile element having a different size, so that the shaped support 14 can be adapted to uppers of different sizes. The deployment of each shaped support 14 is controlled by a pedal 20, and the shaped support 14 is automatically retracted when the carriage 13 returns to the starting position and triggers the sensor 16.

One or more heating members 21, such as electric heating plates, are preferably arranged inside the deformable plates 2, 2' to heat the fluid contained therein by conduction and convection and to heat the pressing surface 3 by radiation.

A pair of vertical shells 22, 22' are arranged on both sides of the squeezing device 1. The casing 22 houses the control and safety devices of the heating circuit for heating the heat exchanger 5 and the heating members 21, while the casing 22' houses the control devices of the pneumatic circuit for driving the valves of the inlet 4 and outlet 10, the cylinder 9, the carriage 13 and the mobile member 19 according to the sensor 16. In addition, the deformable plates 2, 2 ' are preferably turned pneumatically by means of two pneumatic cylinders 23, 23 ' hinged between the supporting structure 6 and the arms 7, 7 ', so that the apparatus operates fully automatically when the operator presses one of the buttons of the control panel 17. Finally, according to the invention, the display panel 24 displays the operating parameters of the device, in particular the temperature and the pressure inside the deformable plates 2, 2'.

The press 1 is closed at the sides by the housings 22, 22' and at the rear by the support structure 6, while the platform 11 extends forward, which prevents accidental access to the press 1.

If the semimanufactured product to be waterproofed is an upper, the skin 18 may consist of at least one film cut according to the dimensions of the inner surface of the upper, folded to overlap the two edges thereof in a position close to the heel and/or the central-frontal portion of the upper. These edges are then heat-welded, for example by means of two heating bars, before being extruded, so as to form at least one strip 25, giving the skin 18 a three-dimensional conformation similar to that of the shoe upper to be waterproofed. After pressing, a waterproofing tape is applied, in particular by means of heat welding, across the narrow strip 25 to prevent moisture from penetrating through its edges.

In other embodiments of the invention, the skin 18 is arranged on the shaped support 14 with the surface with the glue facing outwards, after which the semi-finished product is arranged on the shaped support 14 so that its inner surface is in contact with the outer surface of the skin 18 with the glue. In this case, the glue is activated by heating means during pressing, for example by one or more electrical resistors arranged in the shaped support 14.

With reference to fig. 5, it can be seen that the second shaped support of the method and apparatus according to the invention comprises a horizontal guide 26 arranged on the rod 15. A pair of shaped members 27, 28, which contain the heel and toe of the foot, respectively, are longitudinally movable on the guide 26 in the direction of the horizontal arrow. Wedge 29 can further slide laterally between profiles 27, 28 in the direction of the vertical arrow, so that these profiles 27, 28 can be moved away from or closer to, respectively, stretch or relax the semi-finished product with the skin, in particular the upper, arranged on profiles 27, 28.

Referring to fig. 6, it can be seen that the third shaped support comprises a first shaped element 30 arranged on the rod 15, which is substantially shaped as a part of the hand, comprising at least one finger, in particular the middle finger, the ring finger and the small finger. The second profile part 31 is substantially in the shape of a part of a hand, comprising at least one finger, in particular the index finger and the thumb, at least one second profile part 31 being mountable in the first profile part 30, in particular with a dovetail joint 32, so that it is possible to slide the second profile part 31 into a glove with a skin, and then insert the glove together with the second profile part 31 into the first profile part 30 in the direction of the vertical arrow until the two profile parts 30, 31 are connected to each other, so that the glove is stretched out.

A person skilled in the art may make modifications and/or additions to the embodiments described and illustrated above, while still falling within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims (48)

1. Process for waterproofing semimanufactured footwear, garments and accessories, said semimanufactured products having a three-dimensional conformation with at least one inner surface and one outer surface, comprising the following operative steps:

arranging the semimanufactured product on a shaped support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31), the shaped support (14; 27, 38; 30, 31) having at least one waterproofing skin (18) shaped to cover completely or partially the surfaces of the semimanufactured product to be waterproofed, at least one layer of glue being arranged between these surfaces and the waterproofing skin (18);

pressing a semi-finished product with a waterproof skin (18) and arranged on a forming support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) between two deformable plates (2, 2'), characterized in that:

the waterproofing skin (18) comprises at least one semi-permeable film cut according to the dimensions of the inner surface of the semimanufactured product, the film being folded to overlap the two edges and to weld them before pressing, thus forming at least one narrow strip (25) and giving the waterproofing skin (18) a three-dimensional conformation similar to that of the semimanufactured product arranged on the shaped supports (14; 27, 28; 30, 31).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the glue is heat-activatable and is heated during the pressing in order to join the waterproofing skin (18) to the semimanufactured product.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the semi-finished product is turned inside out before being arranged on the shaped support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) so that its outer surface faces the shaped support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) and its inner surface faces the waterproof skin (18).

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaped stent (14; 27, 28) is expanded before the extrusion.

5. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer surface of the shaped support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) is provided with at least one anti-adhesive, heat-resistant elastic coating.

6. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the outer surface of the shaped support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) is shaped so as to adhere to the surface of the semi-finished product facing the shaped support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) during the pressing and to compensate if the surface of the semi-finished product is not flat.

7. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that glue is applied to the waterproof skin (18) before the waterproof skin (18) is joined to the semi-finished product.

8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the glue is distributed in a discontinuous manner as a glue pattern on the waterproof skin (18).

9. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the waterproof skin (18) comprises at least one film made of a semi-permeable material.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the semi-permeable membrane is non-porous and the passage of water vapor is accomplished by osmosis.

11. Method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the waterproof skin (18) comprises an elastic fabric joined to the semi-permeable film.

12. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that a waterproofing strip is applied across said narrow strip (25) after extrusion.

13. Semi-finished shoes, clothing, characterized in that the waterproofing treatment is carried out with the method according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Shoe upper, characterized in that it is waterproofed by a method according to one of claims 1 to 12.

15. Shoe, characterized in that it comprises an upper according to claim 14.

16. Glove, characterized in that it is waterproofed by a method according to one of claims 1 to 12.

17. Apparatus for waterproofing semimanufactured shoes, garments and accessories, arranged with a squeezing device (1), wherein the squeezing device (1) comprises at least one pair of deformable plates (2, 2 ') with a hollow body, the squeezing surface (3) of the squeezing device (1) being elastic and adapted to be forced by a pressurized fluid to protrude outwards, characterized in that at least one of said deformable plates (2, 2 ') is movably fixed on a support structure (6) for opening or closing the squeezing device (1) around at least one forming support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) having transport means (12, 12 ', 13) moving towards and away from the squeezing device (1) and adapted to support said semimanufactured product with at least one waterproof skin (18) when squeezed.

18. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the pressing device (1) has heating means for activating at least one layer of heat-activated glue arranged between the semi-finished product and the waterproofing skin (18).

19. The apparatus according to claim 17 or 18, characterised in that the forming support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) is provided with heating means for activating at least one layer of heat-activated glue arranged between the semi-finished product and the waterproofing skin (18).

20. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that one or two deformable plates (2, 2') are pivoted to the support structure (6) so as to rotate to open or close the squeezing means (1).

21. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the axis of rotation of one or both deformable plates (2, 2') is substantially vertical.

22. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that both deformable plates (2, 2') rotate around the same axis.

23. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the plurality of arms (7, 7 ') are fixed to the outer side of the deformable plate (2, 2') such that the arm (7 ') of the deformable plate (2') is arranged between two arms (7) of another deformable plate (2).

24. Apparatus according to claim 23, characterized in that the end of the arm (7, 7 ') close to the support structure (6) is provided with a hole in which a pin (8) is inserted, the deformable plate (2, 2') being rotatable about the pin (8).

25. Apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, characterised in that the arms (7, 7 ') are provided with holes at the end opposite to the support structure (6) into which the pistons of one or more cylinders (9) can enter, acting as latches to lock the deformable plates (2, 2') when they are closed.

26. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the transport means (12, 12', 13) of the forming carriages (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) comprise at least one rail (12) on which a carriage (13) is moved, on which carriage (13) the forming carriages (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) are mounted.

27. Apparatus according to claim 26, characterized in that said transfer means (12, 12 ', 13) comprise two rails (12, 12 ') for alternately transferring the two shaped supports (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) to the same position between the deformable plates (2, 2 ') of the pressing device (1).

28. Apparatus according to claim 27, characterized in that the two rails (12, 12') converge in the direction of the squeezing means (1).

29. An apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the profiled support (14; 27, 28) is expandable before being compressed in the compression means (1).

30. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the shaped support (14) comprises at least one mobile element (19) suitable for being pushed outwards by one or more pneumatic cylinders arranged on the same support.

31. Apparatus according to claim 30, characterised in that the shaped support (14) resembles a foot, while the mobile element (19) is arranged in the position of the heel.

32. Apparatus according to claim 31, characterized in that the mobile element (19) is removably fixed to the shaped support (14) so that it can be replaced by another mobile element having a different size, so as to adapt the shaped support (14) to uppers having a different size.

33. The device according to claim 17, characterized in that the forming support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) comprises a pair of forming members (27, 28) which can be moved on the guide (26) depending on the position of a wedge (29), the wedge (29) being slidable between the forming members (27, 28).

34. Apparatus according to claim 33, characterised in that said shaped supports (27, 28) have a shape comprising the heel and the toe, respectively, of a foot.

35. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the shaped support (30, 31) comprises a first shaped element (30) on which a second shaped element (31) can be mounted, the second shaped element (31) being adapted to be inserted into the semimanufactured product to be waterproofed before such mounting.

36. An apparatus according to claim 35, characterized in that the first and second shaped holders (30, 31) are substantially shaped as a part of a hand comprising at least one finger.

37. Device according to claim 36, characterized in that the first shaped holders (30) comprise the middle, ring and small fingers, and the second shaped holders (30, 31) comprise the index and big fingers.

38. Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that said heating means comprise one or more inlet ducts (4) provided with valves for introducing compressed air heated by at least one heat exchanger (5) into the deformable plate (2, 2 '), and at least one outlet duct (10, 10') provided with valves for discharging such compressed air.

39. Apparatus according to claim 18, characterized in that said heating means comprise one or more heating elements (21) arranged inside the deformable plate (2, 2'), which heating elements (21) heat the fluid contained therein by conduction and convection and the pressing surface (3) by radiation.

40. Apparatus according to claim 18, characterised in that said heating means comprise one or more electric resistors arranged in the shaped support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31).

41. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the means (9, 12, 12 ', 23, 23 ') for moving the moving parts (2, 2 ', 13, 19) of the apparatus itself are pneumatically driven.

42. Apparatus according to claim 17, characterised in that the squeezing means (1) is closed laterally by a pair of housings (22, 22'), closed at the ends by the support structure (6) and closed at the lower part by a forwardly extending platform (11), so that accidental contact with the squeezing means (1) is prevented.

43. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the outer surface of the forming support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) is provided with at least one anti-adhesive, heat-resistant elastic coating.

44. The apparatus according to claim 17, characterized in that the outer surface of the shaped support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) is shaped so as to adhere to the surface of the semifinished product facing the shaped support (14; 27, 28; 30, 31) during the pressing and to compensate if said semifinished surface is not flat.

45. Semi-finished shoes, clothing, characterised in that it is waterproofed by an apparatus according to one of claims 17 to 44.

46. Shoe upper, characterized in that it is waterproofed by an apparatus according to one of claims 17 to 44.

47. Footwear, characterized in that it comprises an upper according to claim 46.

48. A glove, characterised in that it is waterproofed by an apparatus according to any one of claims 17 to 44.